Helping families plan & pay for college

Education Finance Council (EFC) is the national trade association representing nonprofit and state-based higher education finance organizations. All EFC Members, as public-purpose organizations, strive to increase college access, success, and affordability in their states and nationwide, operating as supplemental loan originators and loan servicers while providing a wide array of college access and student success services and resources. In 2016, EFC Members directly worked with over 2.5 million families to help them successfully plan, save, and pay for college.

EFC Members, who are intimately involved with their communities, have the knowledge necessary to serve the unique needs of their communities and states, and work to ensure that all families — especially middle-income borrowers and first-generation or low-income students with no family experience in the intricacies of education financing — are provided the tools and guidance they need to choose the best-fit school, borrow appropriately, complete their degree, maximize their earning potential, and successfully repay their loans.

EFC Featured Member

The Rhode Island Student Loan Authority (RISLA) is a non-profit quasi-state authority which has been providing affordable higher education solutions since 1981.

RISLA offers low cost state-based education loans, free admissions and financial aid assistance through the College Planning Center of Rhode Island, a free internship finder through bRIdge.jobs and financial literacy guidance at high schools and colleges throughout the State of Rhode Island.

RISLA does not receive any funds from the state of Rhode Island.

Higher Education Act
Policy Recommendations

EFC has submitted recommendations to the Senate HELP Committee regarding the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act that EFC believes will ensure that the law will first and foremost benefit our nation’s students and families.